SME Forum
Benefits of Membership for SMEs
To ensure we do an even better job for SMEs, we are offering a number of
targeted benefits for the small and medium sized companies in our membership.
- Tailored information: whether it's through our website, email, newsletters or focused briefing
sessions, we will keep you up-to-speed with the big issues that affect the way you do
business.
- Expert advice: we have developed a programme of workshops, seminars and round-table events to
provide you with relevant business advice, technical insights and best
practice
guidance. If you have a query – whether it's about HACCP, ingredients
or
food
labelling – our experts here at FDF are the people to ask. And they
ensure
that
members are kept fully informed about food incidents and help
companies
understand any
potential impact on their businesses.
- Networking: The opportunity to network with your peers can be invaluable – and FDF is the
place where the food and drink industry comes together. Our regular SME Forum
meetings around the country will help you stay in touch with colleagues, for
instance, whilst we can give you unique access to the leaders of the country's top
retail, foodservice and wholesale businesses through our members-only briefings.
- A chance to influence: We have also established an advisory group, open to all SMEs, through which you
can have your say on the issues that
matter most, ensuring not only that your
views are heard by Government and
regulators alike, but are also shaping the way
we
work on your behalf.
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About FDF's SME Forum
FDF has always benefited from having a significant number of small and medium
sized enterprises within its membership. However, we recognise that to be truly
credible as the voice of the food and drink manufacturing sector we need to do an
even better job for SMEs.
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Our Commitment to SMEs
We know from talking to small and medium sized companies across the country that
SMEs such as yours worry most about how they will be able to prosper in an
increasingly competitive market; about ensuring they are producing food that is not
only safe, but of the highest quality; while being confident that they are aware
of,
and complying with, all the different rules and regulations that impact
their
businesses.
As the leading trade association for the UK's food and drink manufacturing
industry, we are well placed to provide you with the business-critical information
that you need to remain competitive – particularly when it comes to getting to
grips
with new legislation.
More than that, FDF is able to influence the way that those rules and
regulations are developed – ensuring that your concerns are understood by policy makers.
Through our newly-created SME Forum, we are committed to doing even more to
ensure that small and medium sized companies have a much stronger voice within our
organisation and greater involvement in our decision making.
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SME Events Programme
Our full calendar of SME events for 2008 will be published shortly highlighting
the
briefing, workshop and networking opportunities being arranged for FDF's
SME
members.
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Data and Reports
We have published the presentations from our first SME Forum, (held on 4
September 2007), on this website. We have also uploaded the summary of our major
data
report, commissioned by FDF and prepared by ADAS, which includes key
statistics
on
the state of the UK food and drink
manufacturing industry.
Members also have access to the SME Forum document archive.
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FDF's SME Members
A large number of SMEs are already benefiting from membership of FDF. Go to our membership listings to find out which
companies have joined our ranks.
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Contact FDF
FDF has set up a dedicated hotline for SME members to contact us on any issue:
phone 020 7420 7123 or email: sme@fdf.org.uk.
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Last reviewed: 16 Jan 2008